Rotary engine



C. W. CHRIST ROTARY ENGINE June 21, 1932.

Filed lay 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet '1 Jwuemjiob GharZeS WC/UVJS'Z C. W. CHRIST ROTARY ENGINE June 21, 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1930 .mM m

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A TTORNEY.

June 21, 1932. c. w. CHRIST-I 1,864,406

ROTARY sneinn Filed May 9. 1930 4 Sheets-Sh et 4 L'Izarles ilfC/zrist Patented June 21, 1932 CHARLES W. 03371181, OF KANSAB CITY, MISSOURI norm? mom- I Application am May 9,

This invention relates to a rotary-engine and has for its primary object to provide, in

a manner as hereinafter set forth, a rotary engine of new and improved construction which includes a rotor equipped with compression and firing blades operating within spaced ooves formed in a housing within which ti e rotor is mounted. With the foregoing and other objects in W view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited. onl 'by the scope of the claims hereunto appen ed.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fi ure 1 is an end elevation of a rotary engine in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section therethrough taken at a point indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 4. I

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken at a point indicated by the line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a lon 'tudinal section taken at a point indicated y the line 44 of Figure 2.

Fi re 5 is an enlarged fragmentar erspect i e view of one of the rotor blade p Fi re 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5. I

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 ofFigure 5.. t

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates a housing which is of substantially cylindrical construction and which is formed in its inner peripheral face with a circumferentially extending groove 2 which hereinafter will be termed a compression groove. The groove 2 is disposed midway between the ends of the housing 1 and is substantially crescent shaped, being flush with the inner peripheral face of the housing 1 at a point indicated at 3, and

1980. Serial No; 451,163.

gradually increasing in-depth in opposite directions from the point 3. In spaced relation to the compression groove 2, the housing 1 is formed in its inner peripheral face with .a pair of circumferentially extending grooves 4 and 5 which hereinafter will be termed firing grooves. The grooves 4 and .5 are substantially crescent shaped and are disposed on opposite sides of the groove 2.

The groove 4 is flush with the inner peripheral face of the housing 1 at a point indicated at '6 and gradually increases in depth in opposite directions from the point 6. The groove 5 is in direct'alignment with the groove 4 longitudinally of the housing 1.

Extending through the wall of the housing 1 is an intake, port 7 which opens into the compression groove 2, and which is suitably connected with a fuel supply pipe 8. Opening through the wall of the housing 1 and communicating with the firing grooves 4 and 5 are a pair of exhaust ports, such as 9, which are connected with an exhaust manifold. 10 emptying into a common exhaust pipe 11'.

At the top thereof the housing 1 is formed with a thickened portion 12 which is provided with a pair of combustion'chambers 13 and 14 arranged in alignment longitudinally of the housing. The chambers13 and 14 are provided with ports 15 and 16 respectively leading from the compression groove 2. The chambers 13 and 14 are further provided with exhaust ports 17 and 18 respectively which are in communication with the firing grooves 4 and 5. The housing 1 is provided with a water jacket 19 which partially surrounds the chambers 13 and 14,

plugs 20 which extend into the chambers 13 and 14.

and is further provided with a pair of spark Disposed within the housing 1 is'a rotor 21 which isof cylindrical construction and which is formed with a pair of diametrically spaced relation to the slots 22. In alignment with the slots 24, longitudinally of the rotor, the latter is formed with a air of diametrically opposed slots 26 throng which the ends of a firmg blade 27 extend. Each of the blades 23, and 27 is formed by a pair of sections of oblong formation in cross section connected together by means of a compression spring 28.- The housing 1 is provided in its inner peripheral face with a packing ring 32 on each side of each of the ooves 2, 4 and 5, for snug engagement with the outer peripheral face of the rotor 21.

"In spaced relation to each end thereof, each of the blades is formed with a transverse oove 29 extending entirely around the lade and in communication with a pair of ooves 30 formed in the edge faces of the blade and extending longitudinally thereof from the groove 29 to the end of the blade. Disposed within the groove 29, at opposite sides of the blade, are a pair of packing members 31 which are formed in their end faces with notches 29'. Disposed within the grooves 29 and 30, at opposite edges of the lade, are a air of substantially T shaped packing mem rs 30'. The portions of the members 30' which are disposed within'the groove 29 are formed with reduced end portions 36' extending into the notches 29'. Extending through the blade are right angularly disposed pairs of spaced openings 31 and 32' within which are disposed springs 33 and 34 respectively. The ends of the prinlgs 33' abut the packing members 31, and t e ends of the springs 34' abut the packing members 30' whereby the packing members 31 and 30' are forced outwardly into contacting relation to the walls of the slot in the rotor through which the blade extends.

Secured to the ends of the rotor 21, by means of suitable holdfast devices 33, are a pair of end plates 34, each of which is provided with a thickened central portion 35' disposed within the rotor. One of the end plates 34 is fixedly mounted on a drive shaft 35 which extends throu h the end plate and which is journaled in a earing '36 carried by a closure plate 37 secured to the housing 1, 3y means of suitable holdfast devices 37'.

he other end plate 34 is fixedly mounted on a cam shaft 38 which extends through the end plate and which is journaled in a bearing 39 carried by a relatively thick closure plate 40 secured to the housing 1. Inward y of the bearing 39, the cam shaft 38 is rovided with a pair of cams 41 and 42, w ich are located within a circular opening 40' formed centrally of the plate 40.

Operated by the cam 41 is a slide bar 43 having a head 43' which slidably extends through a slot 44 formed in a slide valve indicated generally at 45 and which extends longitudinally of the housing 1 through the thickened wall portion 12 thereof. The slide valve 45 includes a pair of oppositely disposed closure members 46 and 47whichrespectively control the ports 15 and 16 into the combustion chambers 13 and 14. The closure members 46 and 47 are provided with suitable packing rings 48 to prevent leakage past the closuremembers in outward directions. The closure member 46 is formed on or secured to an elongated cylindrical bar 49 through which the slot'44 is formed. The head 43 is formed with a cammed face 50 for engagement with a Wall of the slot 44 by the reciprocation of the slide bar 43. The cammed face 50 is maintained in en agement with the outer wall of the slot 44 y means of a compression spring 51, the. respective ends of which abut against the closure member 46 and a collar 49 slidablymounted on the bar 49 and engaging thehead 43'. F ixedly secured to the inner end of the closure member 46 is a rod 52 which slidably extends through the closure member 47 and which is provided at its outer end with a flanged nut 53.

Formed integrally with or fixedly secured to the rod 52, in spaced relation to the closure member 46, is'a collar 54. The closure member 47 is maintained in engagement with the collar- 54 by means of a compression spring 55, the respective ends of which abut the closure member 47 and the flanged nut 53. The slide valve 45 is reciprocated by means of the slide bare 43 to alternately open and close the ports 15 and 16.

Operated by the cam 42 is a pushrod 56, the outer end of which is pivotally connected with a pin 57 eccentrically mounted on one end of an elongated, rotary valveindicated generally at 58. The valve 58 extends longitudinally of the housing 1 through the thickened portion 12 thereof. The valve 58 is of solid, cylindrical formation and extends across the ports 17 and 18 leading from the combustion chambers 13 and 14 to the firing grooves 4 and 5. In' alignment with the ports 17 and 18, transversely of the housing,

the valve 58 is formed with segmental re-' oesses 59 and 60 which are substantially each side of each of the recesses 59' and 60,"

the valve 58 is provided with a packing ring 61 to prevent any leakage from the ports 17 and 18 when the recesses 59 and 60 are in regilsltry therewith.

e slide bar 43 which operates the slide valve 45 is preferably of cylindrical construc tion and is extended through a bore 62 formed in the closure plate 40 and extending radially thereof. The outer end of the bore 62 terminates in spaced relation to the pe ripheral face of the fplate 40; and opening into the outer end 0 the bore is a slot 63 formed in the periphery of the plate and extending transversely thereof. The width of the slot 63 is less than the diameter of the bore 62, whereby a shoulder 64 is formed at the outer end of the bore. Secured to the inner end of the slide bar 43 is a plunger 65 to which is pivotally connected a roller 66 for engagement with the cam 41. The roller 66 is maintained in engagement with the cam 41 by means of a spring 67 which encircles the slide bar 43, and the respective ends of which abut against the shoulder 64 and plunger 65. The slot 63 is of appropriate size to .receive the head 43' of the slide bar 43 therein, and is provided centrally thereof with a circular enlargement 68 through which the outer end of the cylindrical bar 49 projects. The cam 41 is formed with a high peripheral portion and a low peripheral portion of equal lengths whereby the slide bar is reciprocated once during each revolution of the cam, with the strokes of the slide bar occurring at equal intervals so long as the speed of the cam remains coristant.

The push rod 56which operates the rotary valve 58 is referably of cylindrical con-' struction and is extended through a bore 69 formed in the closure plate 40 and extending radially thereof. The bore 69 is formed with a reduced outer 'endportion 70' whereby a shoulder 71 is provided in the bore. The reduced portion 70 opens into a circular opening 72 extending transversely through the plate 40 in alignment with the valve 58. The pin 57 projects into the opening 72 and through an elongated opening 73 in a head 7 4 formed on the outer end of the push rod 56. Pivotally connected to the inner end of the push rod 56 is a plunger 75 which is provided with a roller 76 for'engagement with the cam 42. The roller 76 is maintained in enga ement with the cam 42 by means of a spring 177 which encircles the push rod 56, and the respective ends of which abut against the shoulder 71 and plunger 75. The cam 42 is formed with a high peri heral portion and a low peripheral portion 0' equal lengths whereby the push rod is reciprocated once during each revolution of the cam, with the strokes of the push rod occurring at equal intervals so long as the speed of the cam remains constant. The longitudinal plane of the bore 69 is oh center with respect to the valve 58 whereby reciprocating rotary motion is imparted to the valve by the reciprocation of the push bar 56.

Upon the rotation of the rotor 21, the passage of an end portion of the compression blade 23 over .the intake port 7 sets up a suction whereby gas is drawn from the intake port into the compression groove 2 behind such end portion of the blade 23. Whentho op osite end of the blade 23 passes the inta e port 7, a suction is set up to draw gas into the groove 2 behind such end portion of the blade, and the gas which was drawn into the groove 2 in advance of'such end portion of the blade is compressed by the latter andv ates to close the port 15, and to open the port 16 for receiving the next charge of gas compressed within the compression groove 2.

Immediately following the closing of the port 15, the rotar valve 58 operates to open the port 17, an opening of the port 17, the charge within the c amber 13 is exploded by means of the spark plug extending thereinto, and the exploded gas is driven through the port 17 against the rear face of an end'portion of the firing blade 25, such end portion being'located directly in front of the port 17 at the time the explosion in the chamber 13 occurs. The impact of the exploded gas against the blade 25 imparts the rotary motion to the rotor 21, and the burned gas following the blade 25 is forced through the exhaust port 9 by the opposite end of the blade 25, such opposite end following directly behind the burned gas within the groove 4. The slide valve 45 is timed to alternately admit gas to the chambers 13 and 14, while the rotary valve 58 is timed to alternately exhaust gas through the ports 17 and 18 for alternately driving the blades 25 and 27.

Initial motion of the rotor 21 may be imparted'in any suitable manner, such as providing one of the shafts 35 and 38 with a crank, not shown. While the shaft 38 has been defined as a cam shaft, obviously the shaft 38 may be utilized as a power shaft the same as the shaft 35, if desired, and the cams 41 and 42 may be optionally placed on either of the shafts 35 and 38. The particular type of cams 41 and 42 employed, and the manner of the operation of the slide bar 43 and push rod 56 thereby is optional, so long as the slidevalve 45 is timed to alternately open the ports 15 and 16 at the completion of the compression strokes of the opposite ends of the compression blade 23, and so long as the rotary valve 58 is timed to alternately open the ports 17 and 18 when the firing blades 25 and 27 are brought into 0- sition to receive the impact of the exploded gas from the combustion chambers 13 and 14.

It is thought the many advantages of a rotary engine in accordancewith this invention will be readily apparent, and although simultaneously with theno I 4 memos the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the size, she and arrangement of parts may be resorte to, so 5 Ion as such changes fall within the scope of t e invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. In a rotary engine having a pair of 10 spaced ports, a slide valve comprisin a pair of oppositely disposed closure .mem rs for said ports, a rod rigidly connected with one of said members and slidably connected with the other of said members, tension means normally forcing the closure member rigidly connected with said rod inwardly to its closure position, stop means on said rod for opening the closure member slidably connected therewith when the closure member rigidly 23 connected therewith is closed,meansforopening the closure member rigidly connected 7 with the rod, and tension means for maintaining the closure member slidably connected with the rod in engagement with said stop means to provide for the closing of the closure member slidably connected with the rod when the closure member rigidly connected therewith is open.

2. In a rotary engine, a scavenging blade 33 rectangular in cross section and formed in spaced relation to one end thereof with a groove extending transversely around the blade, said blade further formed in opposite side faces thereof with longitudinally extending grooves extending from the transverse oove to said end of the blade, said blade aving a pair of bores extending transversely therethrough and opening into said longitudinal grooves, said blade further having 49 a pair of bores extending transversely therethrough and opening into said transverse groove at alternate sides of the blade with respect to the longitudinal grooves, T-shaped packing members on the sides of the blade having the longitudinal grooves and disposed within the longitudinal and transverse.- grooves, elongated packing members disposed within the transverse groove at said alternate sides of .the blade, said elongated and T- 59 shaped packing members bein dovetailed together at the corners of the liadqa pair of springs extending through the bores 0 ening into the longitudinal grooves and aving their ends in abutment with the T-shaped 63 packing members, and a pair of springs extending through the bores opening into the transverse oove and havin their ends in abutment with said elongate packing members. co In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

, I CHARLES W. CHRIST. 

